Chapter 63: Ping’an County’s Key Supplies
The troops attacking Heyuan County Town were not personally led by Li Yunlong and Ding Wei.
Instead, it was the New First Regiment’s Second Battalion that took the local troops to do it, with the county brigade and district squads numbering nearly a thousand in total.
The battalion commander led the troops in a feint attack on Heyuan County Town, then turned around and withdrew.
Facing the Japanese Invaders’ reinforcements blocking around the county town, the battalion commander deliberately slowed his pace, pretending that the enemy’s pursuing troops had caught their tail.
The battalion commander “fled desperately” in front, while the Japanese Invaders and Traitors pursued desperately from behind; no matter what, the battalion commander couldn’t shake off the enemy.
“Captain, good news.” A confidant ran up and reported to Fujita Ichi: “We’ve caught the Eighth Route Army attacking the city; they can’t shake us off.”
“Great!” Fujita Ichi, upon hearing this, showed excitement on his face: “These local Eighth Route Army have taken advantage twice attacking the county town; this time they thought they could take advantage again—what a good deal that would be.
Hirata Ichiro’s subordinate, standing behind Fujita Ichi, still found it strange.
How did the Eighth Route Army get caught so easily?
The first time they attacked the city, they used heavy cannon to tear open the encirclement and blew up Li Tong Bridge to shake off the pursuers.
The second time, they had relief troops.
This time, the Eighth Route Army didn’t fire cannons, didn’t blow up the bridge, and had no relief troops—how did they get caught?
Obviously, there was definitely something wrong here.
Hirata Ichiro’s subordinate still stepped forward and said to Fujita Ichi: “Captain, I think…”
“What do you think.” Fujita Ichi interrupted before he could finish, “Are you telling me that the Eighth Route Army comes to attack my city, and I should turn a blind eye and let them leave freely?”
“Uh…” Hirata Ichiro’s subordinate was speechless, the rest of his words stuck in his throat, unable to come out.
Indeed!
What Fujita Ichi said made sense; this was already the third time the Eighth Route Army had come to attack the city.
This was simply rubbing the Imperial Army’s face into the dirt—this bunch of peasants had to be caught and killed, or else any tomcat or dog could bully us in the future!
Fujita Ichi ignored Hirata Ichiro’s subordinate and said to his own confidant: “Send a message to the pursuing troops: the Eighth Route Army often lures people out and then sets up big traps outside for ambushes—tell them to be extremely careful and not fall into the Eighth Route Army’s ambush.”
Clearly, Fujita Ichi being the Gendarmerie Captain wasn’t just for show; he had brains.
He also saw that there was something wrong here.
As long as the pursuing troops were careful, if the Eighth Route Army had an ambush, they would definitely spot it in advance.
Without falling into the Eighth Route Army’s ambush, this bunch of Eighth Route Army wouldn’t be able to fly away even with wings!
“Also, send another telegram to Ping’an County Town, tell them the Eighth Route Army’s current position, and have them cooperate with us to encircle and block the Eighth Route Army,” Fujita Ichi added.
Even if they couldn’t hold this Eighth Route Army tightly, it wouldn’t be a problem.
Once the encirclement troops from Ping’an County Town moved out, it would just be a matter of time before the Eighth Route Army was surrounded and wiped out.
“Yes, Captain.” The confidant hurried off.
Fujita Ichi said to Hirata Ichiro’s subordinate: “Do you think I don’t know the Eighth Route Army’s tricks? Do you think I’ll be as stupid as Hirata Ichiro—the county town was hit twice in a row by the Eighth Route Army and they still got away; what a disgrace to the Imperial Army! Here with me, as long as the Eighth Route Army dares to attack the city, I’ll make sure they don’t leave!”
“Captain is wise; under your leadership, our Gendarmerie will surely wash away the shame!” Hirata Ichiro’s subordinate didn’t argue but flattered along with Fujita Ichi’s words.
He thought to himself: Wait until you fail, I want to see if you’re still so arrogant!
Luring people out and setting up traps outside for ambush—such a simple trick, and you figured it out; do you think the Eighth Route Army is stupid enough to use something so basic on you?
More likely, the Eighth Route Army was playing a big game.
But right now, we couldn’t figure out the Eighth Route Army’s strategy either, so we could only watch.
“And that bait—we don’t need it anymore; have them withdraw,” Fujita Ichi said confidently.
“Yes.” Hirata Ichiro’s subordinate wanted to say something but swallowed it, nodded, and retreated.
Standing at the gate of Heyuan County Town, the wind blew on Fujita Ichi’s face as he gazed into the distance, full of confidence.
……
Ping’an County Town
“Regimental Commander Kuroshima, there’s a batch of supplies that needs to be transported by train to the arsenal in Fengtian in northeast China; the trucks in the county town are broken—do you think you could spare some horses from your cavalry to help transport them to the station…” Kobayashi Iji said carefully and politely to Kuroshima Morita.
Kuroshima Morita was the Cavalry Regiment commander under the Fourth Brigade, a member of the imperial family, and a hereditary baron!
In the TV series, Sun Desheng’s Cavalry Company was annihilated by this regiment.
Before Kobayashi Iji could finish, Kuroshima Morita slapped him hard and cursed: “Idiot! We are cavalry, we are combat troops, not horse transport— what do you take me for!”
Kuroshima Morita was a member of the imperial family and a hereditary baron; he had pride on his face!
Moreover!
Cavalry had always had a strong sense of superiority over infantry since ancient times.
Having us cavalry help low-class infantry transport things—wasn’t that lowering our noble status!
“Yes, yes, yes.” Kobayashi Iji, facing Kuroshima Morita’s scolding, nodded obsequiously and didn’t dare retort.
Kobayashi Iji had no choice but to turn his gaze to Ueno no Mura’s face: “Regimental Commander Ueno, this batch of supplies is very important and must be transported away quickly—how about having your mechanized troops spare some armored vehicles…”
Ueno no Mura was the commander of the Mechanized Regiment under the Ninth Brigade.
Before Kobayashi Iji could finish, Ueno no Mura kicked him directly: “Idiot, are you a fool! I’m mechanized troops—do you understand mechanized troops! Idiot!”
Damn it!
Mechanized troops were for charging into battle; armored vehicles weren’t for you to use as transport vehicles!
“Sorry, you two.” Kobayashi Iji slunk away dejectedly.
“How did it go? Did Regimental Commander Kuroshima and Regimental Commander Ueno agree to help transport this batch of supplies?” Seeing Kobayashi Iji’s bad expression, the questioner guessed the reason but still asked.
This batch of supplies wasn’t much, but it was very important.
The Eighth Route Army had heavy cannon now; Heyuan County Town had been hit twice, and the Gendarmerie and Dayue Warehouse had been looted.
Ping’an County Town was very likely to become a target of Eighth Route Army attacks too.
Keeping these supplies in the city was unsafe; they had to be transported away quickly.
But the transport trucks happened to break down at this critical moment, and after two days of repairs, they still weren’t fixed.
He had no choice but to try asking the Cavalry Regiment and Mechanized Regiment for help, though he knew the chances were slim.
“Can’t you tell from my face?” Kobayashi Iji smiled bitterly.
“Then maybe just keep them in the city; with Regimental Commander Kuroshima and the others here, we’re not afraid of the Eighth Route Army attacking the city.”
“We’re not afraid now, but they’re only here temporarily—what happens when they leave later?” Kobayashi Iji said.
“Then, we can only requisition livestock trucks—sigh, livestock trucks are slow and take a long time on the road; hopefully it’s safe on the way.”
……
